The radiator fan should run at low speed anytime the compressor is engaged.
If the AC condenser pressure goes above a certain point the fan should go
into that noisy high speed. If the radiator switch should call for that high
speed that the compressor should be disabled until things cool down. The
most common failure on these fan setups is the speed resistor which is
mounted behind the driver's side headlight assembly.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Michael Sullivan
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 5:07 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: A/C Fans 2nd and 3rd ?

I have a quick question.  Got ZGringo back frohe a/c shop and have the old
trinary pressure switch on and all is cool.  A/C starts immediately and cool
within 30 seconds.  2nd fan comes on if parked after a few minutes...but
when I tried a new switch, it immediately turned on a fan in front that was
quite loud and would not turn off unless I unplugged the pressure switch.
Now I am wondering if I have ever heard that particular fan sound ever turn
on before....I read there may be a switch in the dash behind the left front
vent.  Just wondering how a normally functioning a/c works when you start
w/o it on, then turn it on, then drive it at varying speeds.

P.S.  BIG ISSUE---When I turn on van w/o a/c, all is good....when a/c on,
the wire from the alt to the a/c fuse box in C pillar really heats up.  Just
wondering how hot is tolerable.  I have only ran the a/c for 5 minutes and
parked, but the wire got pretty hot.  I am most concerned about this as I
never measured the heat on this wire prior to the a/c shop adventure.
Thanks to all. I really appreciate.
Michael in San Antonio
91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo'